Matthew 18:13 kjv
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Matthew 18:13 nkjv
And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
Matthew 18:13 niv
And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
Matthew 18:13 esv
And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
Matthew 18:13 nlt
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away!
Matthew 18 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Joy over Recovery | ||
| Lk 15:7 | "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents..." | Heavenly joy over repentance. |
| Lk 15:10 | "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God..." | Angelic joy at one sinner's turning. |
| Lk 15:24 | "...for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." | Father's joy for found son. |
| Zeph 3:17 | "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy..." | God's joyful rejoicing over His people. |
| Ez 33:11 | "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked..." | God's desire for life, not destruction. |
| God as Shepherd/Seeker | ||
| Lk 15:4-7 | "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave..." | Direct parallel of lost sheep parable. |
| Ps 23:1-3 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..." | God's diligent shepherd care. |
| Ez 34:11-12 | "For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out..." | God actively seeks His lost sheep. |
| Jn 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." | Jesus as the ultimate Good Shepherd. |
| Jn 10:14 | "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." | Intimate knowledge of His flock. |
| 1 Pet 2:25 | "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." | Believers restored to the Shepherd. |
| Ps 119:176 | "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments." | Humble plea for God's seeking. |
| God's Desire for All to be Saved/Value of the Individual | ||
| Mt 18:10 | "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you..." | Do not despise even the smallest believer. |
| Mt 10:29-31 | "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground... Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." | God values every individual life immensely. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish..." | God's patience and desire for salvation. |
| 1 Tim 2:4 | "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." | God's universal desire for salvation. |
| Jn 6:39-40 | "And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing..." | Jesus' mission to lose none given by Father. |
| Pursuit/Restoration of the Weak/Strayed | ||
| Gal 6:1 | "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one..." | Call to gentle restoration. |
| Rom 15:1 | "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." | Supporting those who are weak. |
| Jas 5:19-20 | "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner..." | The reward of restoring a wanderer. |
Matthew 18 verses
Matthew 18 13 Meaning
This verse illuminates the profound joy of God upon the recovery of an individual who has strayed, contrasting it with the presence of many who have remained faithful. It conveys that the act of restoration, especially of the "little ones" or vulnerable believers mentioned in the surrounding context, evokes an intense and particular divine gladness, underscoring God's deep care for each individual soul and His relentless pursuit of those who wander.
Matthew 18 13 Context
Matthew chapter 18, often referred to as "The Kingdom Discourse," details Jesus' teachings on humility, spiritual greatness, the dangers of stumbling, forgiveness, and church discipline. The immediate context of verse 13 (Mt 18:12-14) is the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which is introduced directly after Jesus' solemn warning not to despise "one of these little ones" (Mt 18:10). This "little one" in Matthew's context generally refers to a believer, perhaps one humble in faith, spiritually vulnerable, or even those prone to straying. The parable illustrates the heavenly Father's character and His profound care for each of these "little ones" and His will that none of them should perish (Mt 18:14). It transitions from the problem of causing someone to stumble to God's diligent work of recovery.
Matthew 18 13 Word analysis
- And if so be that he find it: The Greek verb for "find" is heurē (εὕρῃ), suggesting a successful search or discovery after a deliberate effort. It emphasizes the active pursuit and the completion of the task by the shepherd. This finding signifies restoration.
- verily I say unto you: The phrase Amen legō hymin (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν) is a common, authoritative declaration used by Jesus. "Amen" signifies truth, certainty, and affirmation, establishing the statement as undeniable spiritual truth direct from divine authority.
- he rejoiceth: The Greek word is chairei (χαίρει), meaning to be glad, to feel joy, or delight. It is a strong term for joy. This refers to the shepherd's joy, directly signifying God's joy.
- more: The Greek word pleion (πλεῖον) implies a greater quantity or intensity. It does not diminish the value or joy over the ninety-nine but highlights the unique, intensified joy experienced over the recovery of something lost, an emotion relatable to human experience of recovering a prized possession.
- of that sheep: Refers to the singular, mia (μία), "one." This emphasizes the individual worth and unique significance of each lost person to God, countering any idea that an individual is negligible amidst the many.
- than of the ninety and nine: Enenēkonta ennea (ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα). These represent those who did not wander, highlighting God's faithfulness to them while equally emphasizing His heart for the one lost.
- which went not astray: The Greek phrase mē planōmena (μὴ πλανώμενα) describes those who did not wander, err, or deceive themselves. It underscores their steady state, setting up the contrast with the single lost one.
- "He rejoiceth more": This phrase captures the intense emotional aspect of divine love. It's not about loving the 99 less, but about the specific, fervent joy that accompanies rescue and restoration from danger or lostness. This joy stems from love fulfilled and purpose realized through active pursuit and retrieval. It portrays God not as indifferent, but as passionately involved in the fate of each individual.
- "Of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine": This juxtaposition draws a sharp contrast. The shepherd's attention is singular on the lost one, reflecting God's profound, personal investment in those who are most vulnerable or have fallen. It implies that active compassion and restorative love for the lost is a central characteristic of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18 13 Bonus section
The parable of the lost sheep, presented here and in Luke 15, likely stemmed from Jesus' direct observation of shepherds in ancient Israel, where the shepherd's diligence was paramount to survival. The sheep, being prone to wander and defenseless, perfectly symbolized the vulnerability of humanity without divine guidance. The shepherd leaving the 99 implies their safety in the sheepfold or with another caretaker, underscoring the risk and dedication involved in the solo search for the one. The context of "little ones" in Matthew also suggests that these strayed sheep could represent even those with seemingly "minor" lapses or those considered less significant by others, emphasizing that no individual's struggle or deviation is too small for God's active concern and fervent joy upon their return. This profound joy in heaven over restoration highlights the eternal value of individual souls and the cosmic celebration associated with every spiritual return to God.
Matthew 18 13 Commentary
Matthew 18:13 is a powerful statement about the nature of God's love and His Kingdom values. It is part of the broader teaching against despising "one of these little ones" (Mt 18:10) and flows into the will of the Father that "not one of these little ones should perish" (Mt 18:14). The verse portrays a God who does not passively await the return of the lost, but actively pursues them, experiencing immense joy upon their restoration. This disproportionate joy (rejoicing "more" over one recovered than ninety-nine stable ones) illustrates God's deep relational desire, seeing not just numbers but individual lives. It challenges the common human tendency to value security over risk or the perfect over the broken. For the community of faith, this passage implies a pastoral imperative: believers are to mirror the heart of the Good Shepherd by actively seeking, valuing, and celebrating the recovery of those who have strayed from the flock, fostering a community that is compassionate and restorative rather than judgmental or dismissive.Example: A church actively reaching out to a member who stopped attending, or leaders seeking to restore one who has stumbled, exemplifies this divine principle.